Empty. Lonely. Hopeless. I can only imagine how the day after Jesus' crucifixion felt to His followers. The men and women who had walked with Him, talked with Him, listened to Him, and loved Him were left without Him. Their hopes and dreams of a messiah had been nailed to the cross and laid in a tomb, sealed with a stone as heavy as the weight upon their hearts. The Gospel accounts give us little insight into this Saturday. Of the four, the book of Luke explains that the women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment (Luke 23: 55-56). You don't prepare ointments and spices for the living but for the dead. So all we know is that they rested and waited on that day, but clearly they believed it was over. Oh what a mournful and painful Saturday it must have been.
We too face our Saturdays, those moments when our hopes are crushed and dreams are shattered. A job is lost, a loved one dies, a diagnosis is given, a relationship is broken. In a fallen world, the list goes on and on. What we knew and hoped in is pulled out from under us, and we are left trying to discern left from right, up from down. We wait in it; we hurt in it. We begin to prepare our ointments and spices to try to move forward, to do something in our pain. And yet we often must be patient in the hurt and brokenness, enduring the suffering.
Friday was crushing. Oh how bleak Saturday must have been. Yet take heart for Sunday arrived, and oh how it came!
On the third day, the stone was rolled away. Jesus, the Son of God who had taken our sins upon his shoulders and shamefully hung upon the cross to bear the penalty of our sins, had broken the chains of sin and death forever! When the women went to the tomb, an angel spoke words of great hope to them. Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen (Matthew 28:5).
Are you facing a Saturday when hope feels lost and the grip of pain and waiting seems to creep in tighter and closer? Look back to resurrection Sunday and remember that all is not lost but that hope rose for us eternally, for those who place their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Jesus said, In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33). Although the circumstances in life may not be as we'd have them, we can place our trust in the One who holds the world in His hands and Who knows and loves us intimately. In Him is life and joy and peace. He came to give us life and to have it abundantly (John 10:10).
Sunday is coming! We praise you King Jesus. Where we falter and lose hope, we look forward with eager expectation. Our hope is in You, the overcomer of every Friday and Saturday brokenness, the one who has overcome the world!
4.19.2014
4.04.2014
Joyful Mourning
The separation of death is a painful blow to our human experience. The sadness felt acutely in our hearts at the loss of those we love bears witness to the fact that death is harsh and not what should be. As death entered my life recently, I found that mourning which pains the heart can also be coupled with beautiful joy.
My grandmother, Jane Elizabeth Beumel, passed away last week. She was an incredibly lovely woman whom I admire deeply. She was sharper and more knowledgeable about most subjects than anyone else I know. She loved hot tea with lots of sugar and always had a spark to her personality. She was adventurous as I aspire to be, for in her younger days she rode the L&N railroad where her father was a conductor to
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travel near and far. She loved my grandfather, Lee, faithfully until his passing and every day after as well. She treasured her family and loved her grandchildren to the hilt. In my childhood, she used to play Barbies with me and let me read aloud to her. Into adulthood, I loved to sit in the rocking chair beside her bed and talk with her or show her stylish new outfits I'd picked out for special occasions. I always knew that she was incredibly proud of the woman I had grown to be and that her love would never fail.
Undoubtedly, her passing leaves a hole that aches and grieves. Yet in this sadness, there is yet another quality about my grandmother and her life which has turned the sorrow into gladness and celebration. My grandmother was a woman of faith who had placed her faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This makes all the difference.
Death is the result and penalty of our sin and fallen nature. Just as the first human beings, Adam and Eve, willfully chose disobedience, so too do each of us. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23). I acknowledge and absolutely admit this about myself. Yet even in this state, God made a way for us to be made in right relationship with him again just as man was first created to be. But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Through His death on the cross, Jesus took my sins upon his shoulders and absorbed the punishment and death that I deserve. Not only did He die in my stead, but He also defeated death and rose again by the power of the Spirit! So while nothing of my own, no matter how good it may be, can ever earn God's favor or clear our record of sin, there is One who can if you call upon His Name and place your trust in Him. Jesus Christ, fully God Who became fully man, lived perfectly, died, and rose again so that in Him, I might have this credited to me. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). So while death is still a reality here on this earth, it is not the end but just the beginning. For those who have placed their trust in Christ, our lives can be made new even today, and we will one day be made perfect in Him and enjoy His presence for eternity. Equally real, those who have turned from God and refused His Son will not have His righteousness to stand upon. They will deserve the separation and judgment that sin demands. His salvation is open to everyone who would call on His Name. There is no one too far gone or too low for the depths of His love, not even you or me. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).
I experienced joyful mourning in saying goodbye to Maw Maw Jane. I mourn for the loss of a woman I dearly love, but I rejoice with a full heart that Jesus has taken her home to be with Him. I am joyous that she gets to experience the fullness of His glory and to worship Him with adoration and awe. I am excited that one day I will get to join her and the multitude of believers in this! So as Easter Sunday approaches in a few weeks, I reflect upon the Friday death of my Jesus and that Sunday joyful morning of His resurrection that allows my joyful mourning! Praise be to His name always!
My grandmother, Jane Elizabeth Beumel, passed away last week. She was an incredibly lovely woman whom I admire deeply. She was sharper and more knowledgeable about most subjects than anyone else I know. She loved hot tea with lots of sugar and always had a spark to her personality. She was adventurous as I aspire to be, for in her younger days she rode the L&N railroad where her father was a conductor to
Undoubtedly, her passing leaves a hole that aches and grieves. Yet in this sadness, there is yet another quality about my grandmother and her life which has turned the sorrow into gladness and celebration. My grandmother was a woman of faith who had placed her faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This makes all the difference.
Death is the result and penalty of our sin and fallen nature. Just as the first human beings, Adam and Eve, willfully chose disobedience, so too do each of us. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23). I acknowledge and absolutely admit this about myself. Yet even in this state, God made a way for us to be made in right relationship with him again just as man was first created to be. But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Through His death on the cross, Jesus took my sins upon his shoulders and absorbed the punishment and death that I deserve. Not only did He die in my stead, but He also defeated death and rose again by the power of the Spirit! So while nothing of my own, no matter how good it may be, can ever earn God's favor or clear our record of sin, there is One who can if you call upon His Name and place your trust in Him. Jesus Christ, fully God Who became fully man, lived perfectly, died, and rose again so that in Him, I might have this credited to me. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). So while death is still a reality here on this earth, it is not the end but just the beginning. For those who have placed their trust in Christ, our lives can be made new even today, and we will one day be made perfect in Him and enjoy His presence for eternity. Equally real, those who have turned from God and refused His Son will not have His righteousness to stand upon. They will deserve the separation and judgment that sin demands. His salvation is open to everyone who would call on His Name. There is no one too far gone or too low for the depths of His love, not even you or me. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).
I experienced joyful mourning in saying goodbye to Maw Maw Jane. I mourn for the loss of a woman I dearly love, but I rejoice with a full heart that Jesus has taken her home to be with Him. I am joyous that she gets to experience the fullness of His glory and to worship Him with adoration and awe. I am excited that one day I will get to join her and the multitude of believers in this! So as Easter Sunday approaches in a few weeks, I reflect upon the Friday death of my Jesus and that Sunday joyful morning of His resurrection that allows my joyful mourning! Praise be to His name always!
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.
-"In Christ Alone"
1.11.2014
Silence Is Golden
People tend to think I'm a pretty quiet person, and I get it. Don't get me wrong, I love to talk, but I often live in a world of thoughts rather than busting out to share my opinions and words with the world. Yet even with introverted tendencies, there are many times when I feel like duct tape over my mouth is needed. Too often the words that I do speak are ones that I wish I could take back, words of complaint rather than praise, words of anger rather than love, or words of negativity rather than encouragement. Now and then I think of a lesson that my friend's dad shared with us during our childhood. Squeezing a small tube of toothpaste out on a paper plate, he pointed that it could not be retracted into the bottle. In this same manner, words once spoken cannot be taken back. Forgiven, yes, but they will have left their mark nonetheless.
The wisdom of Solomon teaches similarly in Proverbs. When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent (Proverbs 10: 19). Thoughts so easily become words spilled among our families, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and even strangers. Words carelessly and selfishly spoken can be an arrow of pain to those we love the most. Even worse, in this we fail to emanate to those around us the love which we have received through Christ. Words carelessly spoken should strike our own hearts deeply as well for they don't honor ourselves, others, or the Lord. As I often repeat to my students the words of Thumper from the Disney movie Bambi, "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all." If many words invite transgression, I can only conclude that the cliche rings true: silence is golden. Thankfully, though, I believe that golden silence can move us to an attitude and position in which our words can build up others and honor God.
Having an appropriate view of God is important I believe in regards to this issue. First of all, it is important to note that those in Christ can approach the throne of grace with confidence because of the work Jesus has done on my behalf (Hebrews 4:16). He is my Mediator and Advocate making it possible for me to approach an infinitely holy God. And yet, I desire to always be awed at the grandness and magnificence of my God and never flippant in my posture toward Him. The Creator of the dust beneath my feet, the very cells in my body, the stars in the sky, and the unknown reaches of the solar system is my God. Let me be quiet and awed before His throne. But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him (Habakkuk 2:20). Be still, and know that I am God...(Psalm 46:10). The triune God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, are eternally perfect while I am but a wisp of breath. Having this correct understanding and reverence before Him leads me to golden silence, a quiet which allows me to bask in His royal perfection and love which the Father has given to me through the sacrifice of His Son and the gift of His Spirit.
Somewhat ironically, as I meditate upon how great and majestic our God is, I can't keep silent! I'm like a geyser bubbling up with thankfulness and joy that He would choose to save a sinner such as me, become Lord of my life, and bring a completeness to my life that this world could never satisfy. This praise cannot lead to sinful words of anger, bitterness, or complaining but finally brings me to a place where my communication first honors God and radiates His love to others. My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord...(Psalm 146:21). We become free and able to encourage one another and build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
May my mouth be closed when words are many and lead to destruction. May my heart and mind be turned in golden silence to my Lord. And may the renewed and vibrant words that spill forth in praise speak well of His greatness and place His glory on display for all to see!
The wisdom of Solomon teaches similarly in Proverbs. When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent (Proverbs 10: 19). Thoughts so easily become words spilled among our families, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and even strangers. Words carelessly and selfishly spoken can be an arrow of pain to those we love the most. Even worse, in this we fail to emanate to those around us the love which we have received through Christ. Words carelessly spoken should strike our own hearts deeply as well for they don't honor ourselves, others, or the Lord. As I often repeat to my students the words of Thumper from the Disney movie Bambi, "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all." If many words invite transgression, I can only conclude that the cliche rings true: silence is golden. Thankfully, though, I believe that golden silence can move us to an attitude and position in which our words can build up others and honor God.
Having an appropriate view of God is important I believe in regards to this issue. First of all, it is important to note that those in Christ can approach the throne of grace with confidence because of the work Jesus has done on my behalf (Hebrews 4:16). He is my Mediator and Advocate making it possible for me to approach an infinitely holy God. And yet, I desire to always be awed at the grandness and magnificence of my God and never flippant in my posture toward Him. The Creator of the dust beneath my feet, the very cells in my body, the stars in the sky, and the unknown reaches of the solar system is my God. Let me be quiet and awed before His throne. But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him (Habakkuk 2:20). Be still, and know that I am God...(Psalm 46:10). The triune God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, are eternally perfect while I am but a wisp of breath. Having this correct understanding and reverence before Him leads me to golden silence, a quiet which allows me to bask in His royal perfection and love which the Father has given to me through the sacrifice of His Son and the gift of His Spirit.
Somewhat ironically, as I meditate upon how great and majestic our God is, I can't keep silent! I'm like a geyser bubbling up with thankfulness and joy that He would choose to save a sinner such as me, become Lord of my life, and bring a completeness to my life that this world could never satisfy. This praise cannot lead to sinful words of anger, bitterness, or complaining but finally brings me to a place where my communication first honors God and radiates His love to others. My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord...(Psalm 146:21). We become free and able to encourage one another and build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
May my mouth be closed when words are many and lead to destruction. May my heart and mind be turned in golden silence to my Lord. And may the renewed and vibrant words that spill forth in praise speak well of His greatness and place His glory on display for all to see!
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